Case studies

ETHICAL DILEMMA

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Contents
Ethical dilemma: ............................................................................................................................. 2
Q 1: Evaluate options for Maria? .................................................................................................... 2
Q 2: What Maria should do? ........................................................................................................... 2
Ethical Dilemma: ............................................................................................................................ 3
Q 1: Evaluate options for Jesse? ..................................................................................................... 3
Q 2: What George should do? ......................................................................................................... 3
Ethical dilemma: ............................................................................................................................. 4
Q 1: Evaluate options for Hank? ..................................................................................................... 4
Q 2: What Hank should do? ............................................................................................................ 4
Ethical Dilemma: ............................................................................................................................ 5
Q 1: Evaluate options for Juniata? .................................................................................................. 5
Q 2: What Juniata should do? ......................................................................................................... 5
Ethical Dilemma: ............................................................................................................................ 6
Q 1: Evaluate Sarah’s Options? ...................................................................................................... 6
Q 2: What should Sarah do? ........................................................................................................... 6
Ethical dilemma: ............................................................................................................................. 7
Q 1: Evaluate Melissa and Brian options? ...................................................................................... 7
Q 2: What should Melissa and Brian do? ....................................................................................... 7
Ethical Dilemma: ............................................................................................................................ 8
Q 1: Evaluate options for Dan? ....................................................................................................... 8
Q 2: What should Dan do? .............................................................................................................. 8
Ethical dilemma: ............................................................................................................................. 9
Q 1: Evaluate options for Bill? ....................................................................................................... 9
Q 2: What should Bill do? .............................................................................................................. 9
Ethical Dilemma: .......................................................................................................................... 10
Q 1: Evaluate options for Neil? .................................................................................................... 10
Q 2: what should Neil do? ............................................................................................................ 10
References: .................................................................................................................................... 11
Ethical dilemma (Case 1):
Maria Vasquez find that department is missing the deadline and fail to accomplish the goals within
specific time period and in order to resolve this issue she call a meeting to identify the reason for
missing the deadlines. During the meeting Jim and Vincent start blaming each other and cross the
lines.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Maria?

On the basis of rule based theory the following options is available for the Maria;

 She can give warning to both as Jim and Vincent and in case they continue the same
behavior ask them to leave
 Negotiate with both of them separately and take their opinion separately and then tried to
find out the reason for missing deadline and ask the concerned person to avoid mistakes or
problems in the process
 To terminate both of them on the basis of unethical behavior but it will make her to lose
the employees

These are the options available for her.

Q 2: What Maria should do?

Maria should focus on using the power of negotiation in this complex and critical situation. She
should negotiate with Jim and Vincent separately and take their opinion separately and then tried
to find out the reason for missing deadline and ask the concerned person to avoid mistakes or
problems in the process (John, 2017). In this manner she will be able to resolve the interpersonal
conflict as well as to find out the reason of the bad performance as for missing the deadlines for
that the meeting is arranged.
Ethical Dilemma (Case 2):
Jesse Stockton is an employee at Norbury Manufacturing and she got orders from two clients as
Lowery Ltd. And the Principal Contractor but the company is in position to fill the one order at
the time. She approach George and make him aware of the situation and he order to fill the principal
contractor’s and Lowery Ltd orders as soon as possible. This result in confusion for the fulfilment
of the orders.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Jesse?

On the basis of Rules based theory and consequential theory the following options Jesse have;

 To follow the rule based theory so focus on following the orders of the George regarding
the fulfilment of the orders without missing the deadline as he want to give priority to
Lowery Ltd on the basis of long term association with the company
 On the basis of character theory to question the decision and give further clarification on
the decision from the George
 On the basis of consequential theory to negotiate with the George on the decision taken
and ask for the increase in deadline from one of the company for producing good
circumstances

Q 2: What George should do?

Jesse should follow the order from the George as he is the boss know what are the priorities and it
is ethical duty of Jesse to follow the orders from the boss that do not have unethical impacts. Jesse
should focus on the fulfilment of the orders without missing the deadline as she know that George
want to give priority to Lowery Ltd on the basis of long term association with the company so she
should also follow the same guideline in accordance to rule based theory.
Ethical dilemma (Case 3):
Hank is an account manager for the Craven Marketing and Jason is the committed and excellent
performer in the team. Hank make promise to Jason to refer him for the new opened account
manager position. At the same time he find out that Jason is the best option for the Maxim Factory
account that is one of the most valued customer of the company. Now it is difficult for Hank to
take decision.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Hank?

On the basis of consequential theory, Hank could suggest Jason for advancement and Maxim may
lose largest account in case the group fail to meet the performance standards. On the basis of rule
based theory in case there are no guidelines mentioned in the handbook initiate specific rules
regarding recommending sometime for the other job and withholding as Hank thinks Jason can
perform it in better manner than anyone else can. On the basis of character based theory, Hank
promise Jason that he would refer him for the promotion (George, 2018). These are the three
options available to Hank on the basis of the theories within the ethical approach.

Q 2: What Hank should do?

On the basis of the consequential theory Hank should talk to Jason, discuss the opportunities
available and then let him decide either he want to focus on the personal advancement or the
company’s success. The demand of the situation make Hank to leave the decision on the Jason as
all options have different opportunities and threats and the option for not referring him for the
promotion would make the position of Hank negative.
Ethical Dilemma (Case 4):
Juniata Maxell spend a lot of time for developing personal relationships with the workers and to
know her employees well. Sandra is one of the new employee in the team and Juniata firstly
consider her an introvert person but she shocked at her response during meeting that was assertive.
Juniata was not comfortable with her and she have to take decision about Sandra before the end of
probationary period.

Q 1: Q 1: Evaluate options for Juniata?

On the basis of consequential theory the situation is complicated for Juniata as she is
uncomfortable with Sandra but at the same time Sandra is a good performing person in the team.
The one of the option is to fire her but it will make Juniata to lose quality salesperson but she will
be able to regain the unit. On the basis of rule based theory, Sandra is a high performing salesperson
that make no sense to leave the job orders from the Juniata. The option on the basis of character
based issue is that Juniata and Sandra are not comfortable due to the fluctuating personality of the
Sandra and for this she can either train Sandra about the values and norms of the team or either to
give order to leave.

Q 2: What Juniata should do?

On the basis of analysis of option the dilemma is based on character basis and the best option for
Juniata is to train the Sandra regarding the norms and values of the team and regain the unity of
the team without losing the quality salesperson as it will be the best option for her.
Ethical Dilemma (Case 5):
Sarah Kovacs is a head of the HR team in the department and find out new member Kim have
negative behavior in the team although he is quality performing employee. Sarah identify that a
new job vacancy is created in marketing job that require the person as Kim and she is also well
aware of negative attitude of Kim so she have to take decision.

Q 1: Evaluate Sarah’s Options?

On the basis of character theory the attitude of the Kim is bad but there is possibility that the
attitude will be changed in the marketing department so the option is to fast track Kim for the
interview. On the basis of consequential theory the option for fast tracking Kim can lead to bad
attitude of Kim in marketing department may lead to loss of customers and option to not fast
tracking him can impact the unity of HR department. On the basis of rule based theory Sarah
should follow the rule and fast track him for the interview.

Q 2: What should Sarah do?

Sarah should focus on the option developed on the basis of character based theory. The attitude of
the Kim is bad but there is possibility that the attitude will be changed in the marketing department
so the option is to fast track Kim for the interview. In this way Sarah will control the negative
energy in the team and also will regain the lost confidence and motivation.
Ethical dilemma (Case 6):
Melissa and Brian own an online company Disco Global. The company make plan for the
expansion and to enter the Chinese markets but find out some restrictions that make the company
to move away from the stated values of the company. The company now have to take decision
regarding the expansion or staying with the stated values.

Q 1: Evaluate Melissa and Brian options?

On the basis of consequential theory they can take decision to expand business but it may lead to
loss of client and original values of the company and the consequences of the option to not to
expand will lead to loss of appealing opportunity of moving to Chinese markets. On the basis of
rule based theory the option is to go with the stated values and vision of the company. On the basis
of the character theory the option is to avoid leaving the ethical values and find some other
lucrative markets where the company is not require to compromise on the values.

Q 2: What should Melissa and Brian do?

The case analysis is showing different options for the Melissa and Brian with different
circumstances and consequences. The organization should concentrate on promoting the freedom
to get awareness and the option to avoid leaving the ethical values and find some other lucrative
markets where the company is not require to compromise on the values is the best approach. This
will make the company to retain the current customers and to find new customers in new markets
without compromising on the values.
Ethical Dilemma (Case 7):
Dan is managing team for the engineers at RFC Inc. and focus on developing good relations with
good communication. Keyle is one of the member who always misinterpret or misunderstand the
communication from the Dan that make the situation problematic for the Dan. Dan have
opportunity to move Keyle to other team.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Dan?

On the basis of consequential theory the situation is difficult for Dan as different options have
different consequences as if Dan refer him for the new team the poor communication will be a
problem and in case he keep Keyle in the team it will impact the team’s communication. On the
basis of character based theory the problem is with the Keyle who have poor communication skills
that require either the training or to move to other team. On the basis of the rule based theory there
are no stated rules in the organization to deal with this dilemma so Dan have to take decision for
the benefit of the organization.

Q 2: What should Dan do?

Dan must focus on choosing the option on the basis of character based theory as the problem is
with the Keyle who have poor communication skills that require either the training and then Dan
can either keep him or refer him to other team the problem will be resolved as communication
training will control the problem of the Keyle.
Ethical dilemma (Case 8):
Bill Lawrence was a high performing and quality employee of the company but suddenly he
changed him behavior and show very different and low performing attitude. It make Jim who is a
supervisor of Bill to suggest Bill to change his attitude but still the attitude of Bill not changed.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Bill?

On the basis of the consequential theory Jim can either fire Bill that may lead to lose one of the
committed employee or the second option is to deal him on natural ground and discuss the reasons
for the change so that to take actions to make the situation good for the Bill and regain good
performing employee. On the basis of rule theory Jim can give warning to the Bill and in case they
still fail to show the right behavior then fire him. On the basis of character theory Jim should
identify the reasons for the changed behavior and give time to Bill to deal with the bad
circumstances.

Q 2: What should Bill do?

Jim must focus on considering the option to deal Bill on natural ground and discuss the reasons
for the change so that to take actions to make the situation good for the Bill and regain good
performing employee. Jim should identify the reasons for the changed behavior and give time to
Bill to deal with the bad circumstances. This is the best option in the current situation for both of
the concerned parties.
Ethical Dilemma (Case 9):
Neil is the committed employee of Johnston and Marcus who love his job in any circumstances
and give more value and time to job than to the home. The boss of the Neil make him to add fake
information in the organization’s standing and financial statements and reports to show different
performance and Neil follow the orders of the boss. But he was familiar as it was crime and it
negatively impact the health of the Neil.

Q 1: Evaluate options for Neil?

On the basis of rule theory Neil must focus on using the rules theory based options as to stop
adding fake information, quit the job and report the boss as per the rule of the law. In accordance
to consequences theory he have two options as either to follow the orders of the boss that will
result in job security or to complaint against the orders as these orders are not just unethical but
also illegal and it will lead to loss of job (IGN, 2015). On the basis of character theory the option
is to quit job and complaint the orders of the boss.

Q 2: what should Neil do?

Neil must focus on the rules and character theory options as to stop adding fake information, quit
the job and report the boss as per the rule of the law. By choosing this option he may face the legal
actions against him as well as loss of the job but this will lead to temporary depression for him and
will give the long term satisfaction for the Neil. This option will help Neil to regain its mental
satisfaction and avoid unethical as well as illegal crimes while working for the organization.
References:
 John, I. (2017). Corporate ethics. Retrieved 8 January 2019 from:
https://businesscasestudies.co.uk/anglo-american/business-ethics-and-corporate-social-
responsibility/what-are-business-ethics.html
 George, N (2018). Code of conduct. Retrieved 8 January 2019 from:
https://www.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/pdf/
 IGN. (2015). Broken promises. Retrieved 8 January 2019 from:
https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/7/22/ broken-promises-pcmag-gr